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<P>Thanks for your help, Mac and Howard. I'll be going in May next year and i believe I will encounter all kinds of weather (recommendations?). And then i'll be gone an extra month, so would like some ideas on walking shoes while in Italy, Portugal and Greece.</P>
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<P>Mac, what books have you been reading for hiking? I'm headed out to Big Bend in November and will have a chance to break in some shoes and some equipment.</P>
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<P>Did anyone run into bears on the trail? Does it ever get that remote? Any body out there from Houston? Just curious.</P>
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<P>Me again,</P>
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<P>Rae</P>
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<DIV></DIV>>From: Mac Quart <MACSQUARTaYAHOO.COM>
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<DIV></DIV>>To: raz69razaHOTMAIL.COM
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<DIV></DIV>>Subject: equipment
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<DIV></DIV>>Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 10:58:40 -0700 (PDT)
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<DIV></DIV>>Hello, I am a fellow pilgrim who returned not even a year ago. I am also a big
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<DIV></DIV>>hiker and would recommend many things for hiking, but first and foremost, athletic
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<DIV></DIV>>tape. Just a couple dozen yards on a roll will do, but I would recommend bringing a
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<DIV></DIV>>good amount. When you are getting an area that rubs or a place where you know is
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<DIV></DIV>>apt to blister or just where the skin on your feet is soft, apply a little bit of
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<DIV></DIV>>tape. I am talking about that white sticky tape that can be found in most
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<DIV></DIV>>drugstores that is like a canvas weave type of material that is easily torn but very
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<DIV></DIV>>tough. It is great for everything... repairs, blisters, holding things together...
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<DIV></DIV>>the possibilities are endless. It was suggested to me by a friend who walked the
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<DIV></DIV>>Appalachian Trail. And if your legs start getting sore like you have tendonitis,
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<DIV></DIV>>your socks may be too tight. Try pushing them down to your ankles, or even cutting
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<DIV></DIV>>the tops of the socks through the elastic part. If you have any questions feel free
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<DIV></DIV>>to ask me or anyone else on the list. I teach hiking to Boy Scout troops so I have
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<DIV></DIV>>done alot of reading on tips and such. Talk to you later!
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<DIV></DIV>>Mac
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<DIV></DIV>>__________________________________________________
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<DIV></DIV>>Terrorist Attacks on U.S. - How can you help?
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<DIV></DIV>>Donate cash, emergency relief information
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